Wyrd

1.31.07

The word “wyrd” has come along way from its original Anglo-Saxon use, derived from the Old English verb weorюan, which means “to become.” It relates to the modern day phrase “in turn” for its use to begin something while turning back or referring to something old. Wryd simply embodies the concept that everything turns into something else while relating back to the original influences. It somewhat testifies to the fact that there is no unique and original thought; only actions and thoughts conceived from past actions and thoughts that had affected oneself. It has taken on the use of “cause and effect”, for if you think about it, no one presently acts without influence from past experiences.

Wyrd also takes on the labeling of predestined life; when a person choose to act or say according to what their destiny or fate has planned for them. However, a couple thousand years past the fifth century Greek Orthodox beliefs of predestined life, free will has begun to take its dominate affects. A person can simply choose his or her own fate, yet it is argued that their choosing is part of their predestined fate. No part of wyrd is independent from another; all actions are somehow connected to one another. Our actions everyday are results influenced by the past; where we go, what we do, who we are.

The poem The Wanderer has multiple uses for the word “wyrd” in its contents. The main character (The Wanderer) has lost objects or people that are great value to him, leaving him alone in his own solitude. His choices throughout the poem are where “wyrd” takes such dominant meaning. The Wanderer is at a crossroads in his life, determining how to continue his on after the tragic event occurred. However, could the event that took place that lead him to exile be a part of the predestined life that he leads? Or is it just an unfortunate happening that has caused the Wanderer to choose his new path of life?

Some quotes from this poem caught my eye in relations to the meaning of “wyrd”, such as “glory-seekers” and the phrase “A weary mind never withstands fate.” These phrases intertwined and overlapped with others throughout the poem, which encouraged me to indulge further into their meanings out of pure curiosity. “Glory-seekers” is a phrase that the Wanderer uses to compare himself with; Is he a glory-seeker? Or will he fall into the tempting exile that awaits him not too far away. It’s a way of showing his strength to stay on track and to continue his life as those who seek glory, not run from it. The other phrase, “A weary mind never withstands fate”, was personally very intriguing. It not only blatantly states the withstanding of fate, but also makes reference to the mindset of the Wanderer as this particular point in time. Multiple choices lay ahead, all which are heavily influenced by emotion, strength and determination.

Another meaning, behind all the talk of fate and destiny, is karma. It is said that one’s actions are counteracted by others and result as whatever one does or however one acts, he will get back in return. If someone’s actions or thoughts are negative, then his karma will be negative. Wyrd takes a strong part in this as once again actions are influenced by what a person has already been through. The “cause and effect” concept comes back into play as well, eventually making someone responsible for the results in his or her life.

My first impression of the poem was of the Wanderer’s self-pity for himself and his current situation. The narrator who speaks before the Wanderer enters into the poem does not help this fact; he starts the beginning of the poem